Sector 2 (Stage 2) Timetable reviews

[HappyTrainGuy]

Construction of the Norris Road extension linking Bracken Ridge directly into Carseldine railway station is now under construction..... Might be time to start looking at rerouting the 330 buz and the existing network considering the railway frequency already trumps the 330/331 frequency in morning peak. Train every 7 minutes. Bus every 10 minutes all going to pretty much the same terminus in the city.

[SurfRail]

A decent bus route running Chermside-Aspley-Carseldine-Carseldine Station-Fitzgibbon-Bracken Ridge-Sandgate would be nice.

[James]

A decent bus route running Chermside-Aspley-Carseldine-Carseldine Station-Fitzgibbon-Bracken Ridge-Sandgate would be nice.

ERROR: BUS ROUTE DOES NOT COMPUTE.

Cause: Bus does not run to CBD. Please try again, ensuring to incorporate the following:
- Running to the CBD
- Low frequency OR no Sunday services
- Ensuring that the route has a competing P-rocket or City service on similarly awful frequency

[HappyTrainGuy]

I'd just like to see a proper redesigned bus network for the local area utilising the Caboolture and Shorncliffe railway lines and the local bus interchanges at Toombul, Kedron, Chermside, Aspley and Taigum.

[BrizCommuter]

Only 2 sleeps to go...

BrizCommuter is likely to be on the following services on Monday and Tuesday:

07:02 ex-Ferny Grove - which may be very busy initially as it's path is similar to both the 07:04 ex-FG express, and 07:17 ex-Mitchelton, but expected to quieten down within a few days due to trains running 7-8 mins either side.
05:26 ex-Central to Ferny Grove - may be busy due to being after a 15 minute gap at one the busiest parts of the pm peak.

The true test of the new timetables will be when both the schools and universities are back, the latter in late Feb/early March.

[techblitz]

05:26 ex-Central to Ferny Grove - may be busy due to being after a 15 minute gap at one the busiest parts of the pm peak.

depends on how chockas the former 5.17 express from central was (14 minute gap from previous) <<<<note express in that it missed ALDERLEY,windsor,enoggera stations.

now we have  a 15 minute gap with all stops to FG having to deal with extra loads of AL,WI, EN
will be interesting...lucky its only 1 service...

[BrizCommuter]

05:26 ex-Central to Ferny Grove - may be busy due to being after a 15 minute gap at one the busiest parts of the pm peak.

depends on how chockas the former 5.17 express from central was (14 minute gap from previous) <<<<note express in that it missed ALDERLEY,windsor,enoggera stations.

now we have  a 15 minute gap with all stops to FG having to deal with extra loads of AL,WI, EN
will be interesting...lucky its only 1 service...

Before the fare increases decreased patronage the 5:17pm express had standing passengers in the aisles in the middle 4 cars. Haven't observed it recently, but if the decrease in patronage on the 07:04/6 ex-FG* is anything to go by, there may even be spare seats.

* during the busiest parts of the year, this train was nearly full and used to have door hopping at Enoggera, but with decreased patronage you can now get a seat in some carriages!

[STB]

Really looking forward to these changes.  I'll be catching the first 255 of the day for the second express out of Birkdale.  After that I think I'll go for a wander down to the Logan area and head down to Beaudesert for a meal, and then head back up and check out the new route 547.

Also am planning a day or two down on the Gold Coast to explore the new network down there, which I'll probably do in a few weeks time.

[ozbob]

Media release 19th January 2014



SEQ: Rail Revolution arrives tomorrow

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers highlights Monday's rail revolution.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"On Monday, the largest rail service upgrade in Queensland Rail's history will come. This will put Brisbane on par with Perth where all day high frequency trains are the norm. Importantly, these rail upgrades are a revolution, not an evolution for Brisbane. Everything is being done at once."

Upgrades:

* Airport line - trains every 15 minutes for most of the day (+70 services/week)
* Beenleigh line - trains every 15 minutes to Coopers Plains (+203 services/week)
* Cleveland line - trains every 15 minutes to Cannon Hill (+266 services/week)
* Doomben line - trains every 30 minutes to Doomben (+116 services/week)
* Ferny Grove line - trains every 15 minutes, more trains in peak (+110 services/week)
* Gold Coast line - extra peak services (+93 services/week)
* Shorncliffe line - extra peak services (+146 services/week)

"However, the largest impact of these rail upgrades will be on the future bus network for Brisbane. This revolution allows TransLink the option to redesign Brisbane City Council's bus network to feed buses into rail, bringing down the extreme fares and ratepayer subsidies ($400/year) Brisbane residents endure at the moment."

"We believe that it also allows rival private sector bus operators the option to significantly undercut Brisbane Transport during a bus tendering process by simply offering to do what Brisbane City Council cannot politically bring itself to do - run a simplified connections based bus network which is cheaper, more frequent and more productive for passengers than the hi-waste taxi philosophy that has lead to cost explosions and taxi level fares!"

"When you compare a BUZ route running every 10 minutes at full load in peak hour (carries around 400 - 500 people per hour), to a single train service (1000 people in one go), you don't have to be Einstein to realise that plenty of room for feeding bus passengers into the train network now exists, even at peak hour. Indeed, the increased capacity on the rail network is equal to 14,000 Brisbane Transport buses per week."

"We thank Queensland Rail and TransLink, who working together have delivered the goods for the residents of Brisbane and SEQ generally."

"Viva la revolution!"

References:

1. SEQ: BCC anti-interchange philosophy collapses as rail services upgraded http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10307.0

2. "Transferring" can be good for you, and good for your city http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

3. Connections vs complexity http://www.humantransit.org/2010/11/connections-vs-complexity.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

16th January 2014

Bus changes from Monday 20th Jan 2014

Brisbane City  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/3891/details

Gold Coast  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/gold-coast

Logan Region  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/logan

Moreton Bay region  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/moreton-bay

Redlands region http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/redlands

Media release 16th January 2014



SEQ: More train services from Monday - Sector 2 timetable changes very welcome!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has welcomed the additional train services and new timetables for sector two rail lines (1), which follow on from the sector one timetable changes in June 2011 (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Frequency of service is an important consideration when using public transport."

"The sector two rail timetable improvements will see weekday 15 minute frequency extended from the present Darra to Northgate, Ferny Grove to Park Road, to include Cannon Hill on the Cleveland line and Coopers Plains on the Beenleigh line."

"Additional peak services for the Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe, Gold Coast and Beenleigh, Doomben and Sunshine Coast lines are welcome."

"The removal of the limited express peak services on the Ferny Grove line,  relatively a very short line, clears the way for a major frequency boost! Well done!"

"RAIL Back On Track has long called for improvements in train frequency on all lines. These sector two changes were first promised for December 2011.  It is pleasing that they will now be finally delivered from the 20th January 2014."

"There are some changes to timetables for most lines."

"Well done Queensland Rail, TransLink and the Queensland State Government on moving forward with these network improvements.  It is now essential that we continue to look at recasting the bus network to better improve feeders and connections to turn up and go trains!"

References:

1.  New train timetables coming soon
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/train-timetable-changes

2. 7 Jun 2011: SEQ: Major timetable changes phase one, a new beginning  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6149.0

3. An improved timetable for Beenleigh line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/566/details

4. An improved timetable for Cleveland line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/611/details

5. An improved timetable for Ferny Grove line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/971/details

6. An improved timetable for Gold Coast line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/976/details

7. An improved timetable for Shorncliffe line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/981/details

8. An improved timetable for Airport line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/956/details

9. An improved timetable for Doomben line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/966/details

10. An improved timetable for Sunshine Coast & Caboolture customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/1046/details

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th January 2014

Re: SEQ: Rail Revolution arrives tomorrow 20th January

Good Morning,

A huge day for public transport in SEQ today, Monday 20th January.

TransLink -->   http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/20jan2014
20 January 2014 - Are you ready?


With changes of this magnitude there are bound to be the odd clichés.  I know TransLink staff and contractors have been working over the weekend and overnight tonight upgrading timetables etc.  however it will take a few days to bed down all the changes, practically and particularly in the public's mind.  Constructive feedback is encouraged.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

=======================

Media release 19th January 2014



SEQ: Rail Revolution arrives tomorrow

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers highlights Monday's rail revolution.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"On Monday, the largest rail service upgrade in Queensland Rail's history will come. This will put Brisbane on par with Perth where all day high frequency trains are the norm. Importantly, these rail upgrades are a revolution, not an evolution for Brisbane. Everything is being done at once."

Upgrades:

* Airport line - trains every 15 minutes for most of the day (+70 services/week)
* Beenleigh line - trains every 15 minutes to Coopers Plains (+203 services/week)
* Cleveland line - trains every 15 minutes to Cannon Hill (+266 services/week)
* Doomben line - trains every 30 minutes to Doomben (+116 services/week)
* Ferny Grove line - trains every 15 minutes, more trains in peak (+110 services/week)
* Gold Coast line - extra peak services (+93 services/week)
* Shorncliffe line - extra peak services (+146 services/week)

"However, the largest impact of these rail upgrades will be on the future bus network for Brisbane. This revolution allows TransLink the option to redesign Brisbane City Council's bus network to feed buses into rail, bringing down the extreme fares and ratepayer subsidies ($400/year) Brisbane residents endure at the moment."

"We believe that it also allows rival private sector bus operators the option to significantly undercut Brisbane Transport during a bus tendering process by simply offering to do what Brisbane City Council cannot politically bring itself to do - run a simplified connections based bus network which is cheaper, more frequent and more productive for passengers than the hi-waste taxi philosophy that has lead to cost explosions and taxi level fares!"

"When you compare a BUZ route running every 10 minutes at full load in peak hour (carries around 400 - 500 people per hour), to a single train service (1000 people in one go), you don't have to be Einstein to realise that plenty of room for feeding bus passengers into the train network now exists, even at peak hour. Indeed, the increased capacity on the rail network is equal to 14,000 Brisbane Transport buses per week."

"We thank Queensland Rail and TransLink, who working together have delivered the goods for the residents of Brisbane and SEQ generally."

"Viva la revolution!"

References:

1. SEQ: BCC anti-interchange philosophy collapses as rail services upgraded http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10307.0

2. "Transferring" can be good for you, and good for your city http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

3. Connections vs complexity http://www.humantransit.org/2010/11/connections-vs-complexity.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

16th January 2014

Bus changes from Monday 20th Jan 2014

Brisbane City  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/3891/details

Gold Coast  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/gold-coast

Logan Region  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/logan

Moreton Bay region  http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/moreton-bay

Redlands region http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/seq-bus-network-review-2013/redlands

Media release 16th January 2014



SEQ: More train services from Monday - Sector 2 timetable changes very welcome!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has welcomed the additional train services and new timetables for sector two rail lines (1), which follow on from the sector one timetable changes in June 2011 (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Frequency of service is an important consideration when using public transport."

"The sector two rail timetable improvements will see weekday 15 minute frequency extended from the present Darra to Northgate, Ferny Grove to Park Road, to include Cannon Hill on the Cleveland line and Coopers Plains on the Beenleigh line."

"Additional peak services for the Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe, Gold Coast and Beenleigh, Doomben and Sunshine Coast lines are welcome."

"The removal of the limited express peak services on the Ferny Grove line,  relatively a very short line, clears the way for a major frequency boost! Well done!"

"RAIL Back On Track has long called for improvements in train frequency on all lines. These sector two changes were first promised for December 2011.  It is pleasing that they will now be finally delivered from the 20th January 2014."

"There are some changes to timetables for most lines."

"Well done Queensland Rail, TransLink and the Queensland State Government on moving forward with these network improvements.  It is now essential that we continue to look at recasting the bus network to better improve feeders and connections to turn up and go trains!"

References:

1.  New train timetables coming soon
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/train-timetable-changes

2. 7 Jun 2011: SEQ: Major timetable changes phase one, a new beginning  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6149.0

3. An improved timetable for Beenleigh line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/566/details

4. An improved timetable for Cleveland line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/611/details

5. An improved timetable for Ferny Grove line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/971/details

6. An improved timetable for Gold Coast line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/976/details

7. An improved timetable for Shorncliffe line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/981/details

8. An improved timetable for Airport line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/956/details

9. An improved timetable for Doomben line customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/966/details

10. An improved timetable for Sunshine Coast & Caboolture customers
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/1046/details

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

200 more trains a day start rolling

South-east Queensland train passengers will benefit from more than 200 additional daily services from today, following an overhaul of the train timetable.

New timetables start on the Airport, Beenleigh, Cleveland, Doomben, Ferny Grove, Gold Coast and Shorncliffe lines, with minor changes for Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the new timetables were simpler and easier to use, and provided more frequent and consistent services.

"With better planning we are able to deliver better front-line services with an additional 16 morning peak services and 17 more afternoon peak services," Mr Emerson said.

"We've also introduced 15 minute daily off-peak frequency between the CBD and Coopers Plains, Cannon Hill and Northgate. This follows on from our promise to deliver 15 minute frequency on the Ferny Grove line.

"This is a big win for public transport users with improved connections between modes, better reliability and more frequent services where passengers need them most."

Some of the key improvements include:

    More peak Gold Coast services – nine to 12 for AM and 10 to 14 for PM
    More peak Shorncliffe line services – eight to 11 for AM and eight to 12 for PM
    50 per cent more peak services at some of the Cleveland line's busiest stations
    More peak services for Beenleigh station – 19 to 24 for AM and 18 to 25 for PM
    70 per cent peak service increase at some of the Ferny Grove line's busiest stations
    15 minute day-time off-peak CBD to Cannon Hill on the Cleveland line
    15 minute day-time off-peak CBD to Coopers Plains on the Beenleigh line
    15 minute day-time off-peak CBD to Northgate on the Caboolture line
    An additional peak AM and PM Sunshine Coast service.

"This timetable maximises all our existing resources during core peak in terms of traincrew, rollingstock and infrastructure," Mr Emerson said.

"It has been designed so that additional services can be added to the timetable once we have more trains."

Queensland Rail and TransLink have teams monitoring the implementation of the new timetable with hundreds of customer service staff on the network for the next two weeks.

For timetable details visit www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.

[ENDS] 20 January 2014

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Massive boost in frequency of southeast Queensland trains

Public transport advocates have hailed Monday's introduction of 200 extra rail services in Queensland's south east as a revolution in the state's train travel.

The extra Translink services will mean 15-minute frequency on many suburban rail lines, hauling Brisbane and the south east's public transport network into line with many other Australian cities.

Commuter advocacy groups have regularly pointed to lack of frequency as a key factor discouraging people from using Brisbane's network of trains and buses.

Queensland transport minister Scott Emerson said the new timetables would provide more consistency.

"With better planning we are able to deliver better front-line services with an additional 16 morning peak services and 17 more afternoon peak services," he said.

"We've also introduced 15 minute daily off-peak frequency between the CBD and Coopers Plains, Cannon Hill and Northgate.

"This follows on from our promise to deliver 15 minute frequency on the Ferny Grove line.

"This is a big win for public transport users with improved connections between modes, better reliability and more frequent services where passengers need them most."

Public transport advocate Robert Dow, of Rail Back on Track, said congratulations were in order for the government.

"It is the biggest leap forward we have ever had on the suburban network in Queensland," he said.

"All lines bar Springfield and Ipswich are getting more services.

"This will put Brisbane on par with Perth where all day high frequency trains are the norm. "Importantly, these rail upgrades are a revolution, not an evolution for Brisbane.

"Everything is being done at once."

However, Mr Dow said there was still work to be done.

He said the higher rail service frequencies positioned the city's bus services well for improved connections.

"Brisbane's bus network has tended to be a bit more isolationist, running in competition with rail rather than with it," he said.

"If we have better feeder buses into higher frequency rail services, we will have a better overall integrated efficient public transport network and then more room for fare relief."

Translink's network has attracted significant criticism for its pricing structure, which commuter groups have claimed put Brisbane's public transport fares among the highest in the world.

Mr Dow said it put many commuters off using public transport and it was hoped a more affordable fare structure would result from higher frequencies.

"With a better fare system we can improve patronage to make public transport the first choice, not the last choice," he said.

Mr Emerson said Queensland Rail and TransLink teams would monitor the implementation of the new timetable over the next two weeks.

"This timetable maximises all our existing resources during core peak in terms of traincrew, rolling stock and infrastructure," Mr Emerson said.

"It has been designed so that additional services can be added to the timetable once we have more trains."

Some of the key introductions include:

• More peak Gold Coast services – from nine to 12 in the morning and 10 to 14 in the afternoon

• More peak Shorncliffe line services – from eight to 11 in the morning and eight to 12 in the afternoon

• 50 per cent more peak services at some of the Cleveland line's busiest stations

• More peak services for Beenleigh station – from 19 to 24 in the morning and 18 to 25 in the afternoon

• 70 per cent peak service increase at some of the Ferny Grove line's busiest stations

• 15 minute frequency in day-time off-peak services from the CBD to Cannon Hill on the Cleveland line

• 15 minute frequency in day-time off-peak services from the CBD to Coopers Plains on the Beenleigh line

• 15 minute frequency in day-time off-peak services from the CBD to Northgate on the Caboolture line

• An additional peak morning and afternoon Sunshine Coast service

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/massive-boost-in-frequency-of-southeast-queensland-trains-20140120-313af.html

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

More trains, bus changes too @NewsTalk4BC brief chat at 6.50am ... background --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6371.msg137645#msg137645 ... #qldpol

[BrizCommuter]

The day BrizCommuter has been waiting for since QR stuffed up the FG Line timetable in March 2008!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

@NewsTalk4BC Thanks Ian and Loretta, a good news day for public transport in SEQ! --> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/20jan2014 ...

[ozbob]

The day BrizCommuter has been waiting for since QR stuffed up the FG Line timetable in March 2008!

Heading into town later today ..  Yo!

[ozbob]

Inbound Darra EMU26,  might take a punt and head out to Coopers Plains. 

New fare gates operational at Central apparently as well.

[techblitz]

Inbound Darra EMU26,  might take a punt and head out to Coopers Plains. 

New fare gates operational at Central apparently as well.

Good thing with the ippy line is that the inbound connects decently with the 598
12-13 mins sherwood to salisbury! Ever done that connection ozbob?

[ozbob]

Not for a while, the 598 can very useful at times ...

[pangwen]

On the Gold Coast express now - it looks like they've changed the operation to be much more sensible with the all stops services on the outer tracks and the express services on the centre track (Platform 2)

Edit: South of Salisbury, that is

[BrizCommuter]

17:11 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL
17:26 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL!!! (hundreds unable to board)

Photos taken and sent to Courier Mail.
Blog post later this evening.

[techblitz]

17:11 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL
17:26 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL!!! (hundreds unable to board)

Photos taken and sent to Courier Mail.
Blog post later this evening.

This really is no surprise...well actually it is...a 3 car set after a 15 minute peak hour break?
Are they purposely trying to irritate customers? Lets hope its permantly fixed with a 6 car set....

[Arnz]

According to the QR reps, the 5:11 and 5:26 are NOT meant to be 3-cars.  They were 3-cars today due to crewing issues caused by the morning disruptions.

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts/727442590607437?stream_ref=10

[techblitz]

According to the QR reps, the 5:11 and 5:26 are NOT meant to be 3-cars.  They were 3-cars today due to crewing issues caused by the morning disruptions.

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts/727442590607437?stream_ref=10

Tnx arnz...
Quite a comical start to that facebook post

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/sector-2-train-timetables-off-to-bad.html
Sector 2 train timetables - off to a bad start!

[HappyTrainGuy]

17:11 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL
17:26 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL!!! (hundreds unable to board)

Photos taken and sent to Courier Mail.
Blog post later this evening.

Great to see full loads on trains.

[ozbob]

Expected a few teething issues, and there were.  Massive change overall. It was all complicated by multiple level crossing incidents and latter in the day a bridge strike.  Hard to really judge overall.  Many passengers were not aware of the new timetables (incredible but true) when adjustments made sure things will be better.  Same deal with sector one.  In a week or two we will all be wondering why it too so long ..

The  PM peak FG trains will normally be 6 car, that will sort itself.

[ozbob]

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts/727473653937664

Queensland Rail

We closely monitored Ferny Grove line trains yesterday morning and know the 7.10am and 7.25am trains from Ferny Grove had some crowding.

The good news is that there are services every 7-8 mins from Ferny Grove during morning peak and all other trains had plenty of capacity.

We encourage customers to consider catching one of the 6-car trains (7.02am, 7.17am, 7.32am), where possible.

We expect this issue to resolve over the coming days, as customers adjust to the new timetable. We encourage and appreciate any feedback and apologise for any discomfort on these services.

TransLink and Queensland Rail staff will be at key stations over coming days to talk to customers about their options regarding trains from Ferny Grove in the morning.

[BrizCommuter]

17:11 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL
17:26 Central to Ferny Grove - 3-car unit - FULL!!! (hundreds unable to board)

Photos taken and sent to Courier Mail.
Blog post later this evening.

Great to see full loads on trains.

Not when you cannot get on a train!

[BrizCommuter]

The  PM peak FG trains will normally be 6 car, that will sort itself.

Alternate AM peak trains are apparently scheduled to be 3-car on the FG Line. This is a potentially serious long term issue!

During one hour on the FG Line AM peak, the overall capacity had been reduced from 14 x 3-car units to 12 x 3-car units.

[ozbob]

Give it a week and it will settle down.  We have a 3 car in the morning AM peak on the Ippy, people adjust  ...

[STB]

Give it a week and it will settle down.  We have a 3 car in the morning AM peak on the Ippy, people adjust  ...

The first week or so will always be nuts as staff and passengers readjust themselves, not helped by the disruptions.

I have heard though that QR are short on crews though to operate this timetable, and one small disruption can cause ongoing problems for the rest of the day?  Recruitment drive on the horizon perhaps?

[Derwan]

I have heard though that QR are short on crews though to operate this timetable, and one small disruption can cause ongoing problems for the rest of the day?  Recruitment drive on the horizon perhaps?

One thing that surprised me from the combined CRG meeting was that they said they were rolling out this timetable without an increase in train crew.  We're already seeing the consequences of that decision.

Unfortunately it takes 10 months to train a train driver - so we could be putting up with delays and cancellations for some time.  Let's hope it's just teething issues!

[STB]

I have heard though that QR are short on crews though to operate this timetable, and one small disruption can cause ongoing problems for the rest of the day?  Recruitment drive on the horizon perhaps?

One thing that surprised me from the combined CRG meeting was that they said they were rolling out this timetable without an increase in train crew.  We're already seeing the consequences of that decision.

Unfortunately it takes 10 months to train a train driver - so we could be putting up with delays and cancellations for some time.  Let's hope it's just teething issues!

I'm guessing on paper it may have appeared to be alright, but throw in reality with disruptions from truck drivers, signal failures etc, and you have a problem that can last until the last run of the day with crews having to cover for runs that they are not scheduled to etc, eating into their breaks and sign off times.

From what I've heard, they are 40 crews short to run this type of timetable.  If that's the reality, that's nuts!  This feels like 2008 all over again if this is the case, but instead of rollingstock shortages causing problems, its crews.

[Nina M Blackwell]

Sorry, Bob, I don't think it's an improvement at all for Cleveland residents.  Is Transport trying to dictate to employers to start a staggered work schedule or what?

[SurfRail]

People at Altandi are already taking advantage of the expresses.  More power to them.

Service was 100% on time all trip long today.  We'll see how long they can keep it up.

[techblitz]

People at Altandi are already taking advantage of the expresses.  More power to them.

Service was 100% on time all trip long today.  We'll see how long they can keep it up.

Also benefits students from griffith mt gravatt who have classes down south and vice versa..

[James]

Sorry, Bob, I don't think it's an improvement at all for Cleveland residents.  Is Transport trying to dictate to employers to start a staggered work schedule or what?

I don't see what Cleveland commuters are whining about really, aside from expresses ending far too early in PM peak. The previous expresses sat behind all stoppers most of the time and left annoying breaks for commuters.

I think crewing is the big issue though. Especially given 15 minute frequency on most lines means there is little opportunity to recover from a peak meltdown in some places.

[STB]

Sorry, Bob, I don't think it's an improvement at all for Cleveland residents.  Is Transport trying to dictate to employers to start a staggered work schedule or what?

What do you mean?  I live in the Redlands (Birkdale/Wellington Point being my local stations).

[STB]

Here's my run down of my trip around the network yesterday, a mix of bus and train:

06:21 AM    Birkdale Rd at EGW Wood Sportsfield    06:25 AM    Birkdale station    $ 1.77    
06:25 AM    Birkdale    07:06 AM    Park Road    $ 0.99    
07:07 AM    Park Road    07:28 AM    Banoon    $0.00    
07:33 AM    Banoon    08:30 AM    South Bank    $ 0.38    
08:38 AM    South Bank busway station Platform 2    09:17 AM    Browns Plains Plaza    $ 2.52    
09:34 AM    Browns Plains stop E    10:19 AM    Anna St at William Street    $ 1.59    
11:30 AM    Anna St at William Street    12:25 PM    Browns Plains stop E    $ 2.52    
12:37 PM    Browns Plains stop E    12:58 PM    Woodridge station    $ 0.30    
01:00 PM    Woodridge    01:43 PM    Beenleigh    $0.00    
01:44 PM    Beenleigh    02:23 PM    South Bank    $ 1.29    
02:31 PM    South Bank busway station Platform 2    02:54 PM    Carindale Interchange Arrival Stop    $ 1.97    
03:16 PM    Carindale Shopping Centre station platform J    03:58 PM    Middle Street stop B    $ 0.85    
05:10 PM    Middle Street stop A    05:40 PM    Birkdale Rd at EGW Wood Sportsfield

Overall, apart from the meltdown on the Beenleigh line which caused me to get stuck with Martin (the Exec at QR) at Banoon station yesterday, the connections and routes seemed to be doing quite well.

Bus patronage was strong on route 540, and not too bad on route 547.  Trains wise, it seemed that people were still catching the same train as per usual with the same sort of loadings you would see in the old timetable.  That will probably change in the coming weeks as people readjust themselves and take advantage of the other services which will spread the loadings across, and in turn provide more capacity overall.

The downside of course, which I pointed out, is the tenable level of crewing that they have, which is really cutting to the bone of what QR can provide with what they have currently.  And things probably won't improve for another 12-18 months, at least crewing wise.

Just to add, I did note the guards were announcing on the Gold Coast expresses (that I went on) about the high frequency bus services (routes 130 and 140 and the links to Griffith Uni and Garden City) as the reason why the express pattern had changed.